Sylhet District Superintendent of Police Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun issued suspension orders yesterday, 30/09/2023, against four officers of Kanaighat Police Station following preliminary findings of an investigation into allegations of extortion and abuse of authority. The suspended officers are Officer-in-Charge Lokman Hossain, Sub-Inspector Muhammad Zilani, Assistant Sub-Inspector Rafinur Rahman and Assistant Sub-Inspector Riaz Uddin from Kanaighat Police Station. According to S.P. Al Mamun, the suspensions followed an investigation conducted by RAB-9 with assistance from Sylhet District Police. The investigation reportedly uncovered evidence indicating that officers of Kanaighat Police Station had been collecting money from civilians under the direction of O.C. Lokman Hossain. Captain Shahriar Mahmud, the lead RAB investigator, said that the investigation began after authorities received a written complaint from Kanaighat resident Md Abdur Rashid concerning the treatment of his son, Kamran Ahmed, by officers of Kanaighat Police Station. According to the complaint, O.C. Lokman initially demanded extortion money from Abdur Rashid after he and his son sought police protection following threats and attacks by Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir activists. The complaint to RAB further alleged that ransom money was later demanded from Abdur Rashid and that Kamran was detained and tortured at the police station after objecting to the demands. Captain Shahriar said investigators subsequently examined the allegations and obtained information indicating that the incident involving Abdur Rashid and Kamran Ahmed was not an isolated matter, but was connected to a wider pattern of alleged extortion, unlawful detention and torture involving officers serving at Kanaighat Police Station. The matter has also been reported to the office of Sylhet Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Shah Mizan Shafiur Rahman for further action in accordance with police disciplinary procedures.